Question

What does R and S mean in relation to IUPAC names of organic compounds?

Answer 1

give examples
where u saw ?

Answer 2

R (rectus = right) and S (sinister = left) identify the stereochemistry at the indicated chiral center that is assigned according to the cahn-ingold-prelog rules.

For example:

Answer 3

@aaronq What do you mean by cahn-ingold-prelog rules? Also how would you determine whether the molecules are orientated right or left of the chiral centre? I fail to understand this. Thank you.

Answer 4

Each group has assigned priority. If the priority is going clockwise, then it is an R-enantiomer; If it is going counterclockwise, it is an S-enantiomer.

Answer 5

-COOH has highest priority, then -NH, CH3 and finally H.

Answer 6

@abb0t Right. Does this rule apply to any organic compounds with different groups attached to it?

Answer 7

yes.